At long last, our very own Hastings wetu is complete. Construction of the traditional Native American bark covered lodge was first undertaken during the summer of 2002. This traditional shelter is the work of Annawon Weeden, Wampanoag, and Native Programs Educator at the Boston Children's Museum. Older Hastings students may remember Annawon as the same man who danced for us during an all-school ACT assembly in the fall of 2001. The wetu is the third prong in a program of improvement of the school grounds that includes the mosaics in front of the school and the Big Backyard Nature Path, out back. The sheets of bark that are employed in the construction can only be harvested during a very small window of opportunity in the springtime, and they must come from the correct species of tree, and those trees need to have already been felled for other reasons, i.e. logging or development.

It is hoped that the Hastings wetu will serve to enhance our awareness of the First People, and to imbue our children and ourselves with a keener appreciation for the beauty and wisdom of a way of life that is an important and fascinating part of our nation's heritage. Our curriculum includes the study of Native American cultures during the second grade, and then again in the fifth grade, so the wetu is an excellent place for students to come to do some creative visualization, imagining what it might be like to dwell in this kind of a home. Of course, it is hoped that the Hastings wetu will remain standing for many long years to come, and each and every family is asked to please help shoulder the responsibilty of respecting, protecting and preserving the house, even as we enjoy it.

Annawon has offered to lead a ceremonial celebration of the completion of the wetu when our school schedule allows for it, either this spring or next fall. He is also available to return to Hastings to conduct enrichment programs with our students as meets our needs. Please support our Hastings ACT committee to allow for this!!